AMS punished after worker is run over by truck

A large metal processing firm has been hit with a five-figure fine after one of its workers suffered several injuries in an accident involving a forklift truck.

The 54-year-old man was working in an aisle at All Metal Services' warehouse in Westhoughton on September 8th 2008 when a truck ran over his right leg.

He broke three toes, fractured several bones in his foot and sustained severe skin, muscle and tissue damage which still restricts his walking 18 months after the incident.

Manchester Crown Court heard that items of stock had been left in the aisle and that there was no walkway for pedestrians, highlighting the importance of using the appropriate warning signs.

The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 17 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, incurring a fine of £12,500 and being ordered to pay costs of £4,230.

"Measures should have been taken to ensure vehicles and pedestrians were effectively separated in the warehouse so they could both circulate in a safe manner," said Health and Safety Executive inspector Alex Farnhill.

"The company has an annual turnover of more than $180 million. Any organisation that size can easily afford to spend time and money on basic health and safety."

All Metal Services supplies raw materials to the aerospace and defence industries and exports to over 35 countries across the globe.